Community Bulletin and Business Briefs

The Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida recently hosted more than 30 Holocaust survivors and their family members during its annual Survivor Luncheon held at the center. This annual event is an opportunity for local survivors to visit with one another and stay abreast of the programs and initiatives the Holocaust Center provides to the community. Pictured are Sidonie Gruenberg, Eva Ritt, Ulla Steinbach and Vera Feteke.

JA’s honorees

Junior Achievement of Central Florida recently celebrated its 50th anniversary and inducted the following honorees into it Mid-Florida Business Hall of Fame:

• Jimmy Hewitt, founder of the Orlando Magic

• Linda Chapin, former Orange County mayor

• The late Hy Lake, a real estate mogul in Central Florida for more than 50 years

Jacob Stuart, president of the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce for nearly 25 years, was also presented with JA’s “Spirit of Achievement” award, the nonprofit’s most prestigious service honor. Pictured from left are Jacob Stuart, Harriet Lake, Linda Chapin and Jimmy Hewitt.

Women scholars

The Women's Executive Council of Downtown Orlando proudly recognized a few of Central Florida's finest women and community leaders on Oct. 21. WEC awarded 10 $1,500 scholarships to women attending local colleges and universities. For more information on the Women's Executive Council, log on to WECOrlando.com

2010 Scholarship Recipients:

• Lydumila Anisimova, Seminole State College

• Anna V. Eskamani, University of Central Florida

• Amanda Ford, University of Central Florida

• Justine Falcone, Rollins College

• Francoise Kogan, Valencia Community College

• Zumbreekia Hogan, Seminole State College

• Kiara Nair, University of Central Florida

• Christina Owen, Rollins College

• Yulia Sokolova, University of Central Florida

• Mary Yoder, Seminole State College

A&H sets record

The Art & History Museums – Maitland is proud to announce that the 2011 benefit auction, Evening in the Grove, raised $89,297, a record-setting amount for this event. Total proceeds exceeded last year's event by more than $24,000. Evening in the Grove, the A&H’s 13th annual gala benefit auction, took place on Oct. 16 at the Sheraton Orlando North Hotel in Maitland.

Stonewood gives back

When purchasing a holiday gift card from Stonewood Grill, 10 percent of the gift card amount will be donated to Jewish Family Services. Additionally, as a special thank you, Stonewood Grill will reward each customer with a bonus card for 10 percent of their gift card purchase amount.

SAR honorees

Each year the Central Florida Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution selects outstanding individuals in the fields of Law Enforcement and Fire Rescue. Sheriff Orange County Jerry Deming, DFC Stephen Cook, Orlando Firefighter Aaron Rhodes and Orange County Firefighter Richard Gunter were awarded the SAR Medal for Heroism. Division Chief Ivan Mustafa of Seminole County EMS-Fire Rescue was awarded the SAR EMS Commendation Medal.

Hall for rent

Planning a party or wedding reception and need a hall for an event? A large building with kitchen and stage available for rent on beautiful Lake Estelle in Loch Haven Park, Orlando. Call 321-287-6880 or 407-894-2250.

Food drive

For each dollar raised, Second Harvest Food Bank is able to provide $9 in grocery products. In 2010, the Winter Park community through Rollins College donated 16,000 pounds of food to those in need. The goal this year is 20,000 pounds of food. To make a contribution visit Rollins.edu/osil/helpinghands

Get Caught Caring

JFS is collecting new unwrapped toys, gift cards and food for its Get Caught Caring campaign. The goal of the program is to provide all families with the ability to have gifts for their children and food for their holiday meal. Donations can be dropped off or mailed to JFS: 2100 Lee Road, Winter Park. Should your company or group wish to conduct a toy drive on JFS’ behalf, contact Adrienne Cooperman at 407-644-7593, ext. 243. You can also choose to make a donation of $18 or more on your child’s behalf and they will be mailed a special certificate with their name.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Chartered Law Offices of Troum & Wallsh in Maitland is pleased to announce that Jeff Ashton joined the law firm on Monday, Oct. 31, as “of counsel.” Ashton recently retired from a 30-year career as a prosecutor in Orlando after representing the State of Florida in the Casey Anthony homicide trial.

NAI Realvest has launched a new division to provide commercial property owners with assistance in working with government. Government Real Estate Services Group will represent private property owners on a wide range of government-related matters from land-use changes and development approvals to zoning, permitting and transportation matters.

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty associate Bruce Elliott was recently awarded the Certified International Property Specialist professional designation by the National Association of Realtors.

Mattamy Homes U.S. Group, the U.S. division of Canada’s largest homebuilder, has named Rick Stevens vice president of land acquisition.

Meritage Homes hosted a private preview reception for area realtors on Nov. 17 to showcase the first energy-efficient neighborhood in Longwood at Bella Vista, a gated community located off Sand Lake Road and Forest Park Court at 1104 Bella Vista Circle in Longwood.

Angela Weister has joined the March of Dimes Central Florida Division as their new community director. Covering Orange and Seminole County, Angela will oversee the March for Babies event that will take place on April 28 at Lake Eola.

Michael S. Wallman has been appointed to the School Advisory Council committee at Glenridge Middle School as a business community representative.

The Rollins MBA at the Crummer Graduate School of Business’ part-time MBA program was ranked 44th in the nation by Bloomberg Businessweek. The magazine also reported that alumni of Rollins’ part-time MBA program earn, on average, a 25 percent higher salary compared to their pre-MBA income.

Creative Canvas & Wine has opened at 155 Cranes Roost Blvd., Suite 1130, Altamonte Springs, Fla. 32701, located in Uptown. Call 407-260-WINE (9463) or visit www.creativecanvasandwine.com for online reservations and more information. Adult classes are $35 per person and kids’ classes are $25 per child.